Every registered voter in California would get a vote-by-mail ballot, whether they asked for one or not, under legislation being considered in Sacramento. State Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, says it might help reverse a slide in voter turnout. “Unless we find a way to increase voter participation statewide, nothing less than our democratic way of life is at risk,” says Mr. Hertzberg, author of the legislation known as SB 163. Voters would still have the option of voting in person at their designated polling location.
“For many working Californians, carving time out of a busy work schedule to vote can be a challenge,” Mr. Hertzberg says. “Californians should not have to sacrifice their right to vote because they work or have to commute or need to take care of their children and can’t make it to their polling place. Having that mail-in ballot at the ready can only improve our embarrassingly low voter-turnout rates.”
Full Article: Central Valley Business Times.